Copolymers of pivaolactone and isoprene or butadiene

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are new, specifically modified, copolymers of pivalolactone with isoprene and/or butadiene. Also disclosed is a process for making copolymers comprising (1) polymerizing the diene with a lithium initiator and, optionally, metallating the resulting lithiopolydiene with an alkyllithium, (2) corboxylating the resulting polylithiopolydiene by reaction with carbon dioxide, (3) reacting the polymeric lithium carboxylate with tetraalkylammonium hydroxide or halide and (4) reacting the tetraalkylammonium salt with pivalolactone.

United States Patent 1191 Foss 1111 3,821,331 June 28, 1974 COPOLYMERS or PIVAOLACTONE AND ISOPRENE on BUTADIENE Inventor: Robert Paul Foss, Hockessin, Del.

Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del.

Filed: Jam, 1973 Appl. No.: 324,502

Related US. Application Data Continuation-in-part of SerLNo. 227,258.

US. Cl 260/887, 161/231, 260/879 Int. Cl C0811 9/08 Field of Search 260/887, 879; 161/231 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/ 1968 King 260/895 3,557,255 1/1971 Sharkey 260/879 Primary Examiner-Murray Tillman Assistant Examiner-.1. Ziegler [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein are new, specifically modified, c0 polymers of pivalolactone with isoprene and/or butadiene. Also disclosed is a process for making copolymers comprising (1) polymerizing the diene with a lithium initiator and, optionally, metallating the resulting lithiopolydiene with an alkyllithium, (2) corboxylating the resulting polylithiopolydiene by reaction with carbon dioxide, (3) reacting the polymeric lithium carboxylate with tetraalkylammonium hydroxide or halide and (4) reacting the tetraalkylammonium salt with pivalolactone.

9 Claims, No Drawings COPOLYMERS OF PIVAOLACI ONE AND ISOPRENE OR BUTADIENE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to specifically modified copolymers derived from pivalolactone' CH3 CH3(|:(IJ=0 (JHQO and isoprene and/or butadiene.

2. Description of the Prior Art ABA type copolymers are taught in Sharkey, US. Pat. No. 3,557,255, wherein the A blocks are polypivalolactone and the B block is polyisoprene or polybutadiene. Copolymers taught herein are structurally different from such prior art copolymers in that they contain unit between A and B blocks. Processes are nonanalogous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The novel products of this invention include copolymers (A):

ll (pivalolactone w-l l diene OO -pivalolact0ne) )1 )m r. v

wherein Z and n are between about 5 to 4,000, and

m is between about 25 to 25,000. Preferred values for l and n are about 15 to 200, and for m about to 5,000. Also included herein are novel copolymers (B):

47 I l (pivalolactone) k a 2 wherein Z, n and k are between about 5 to 4,000,

m is between about 25 to 25,000 and x is from about 1 to 350. Preferred values for l, n and kare about 15 to 200, for m about 100 to 5,000 and for x about 1 to 50. Included also are copolymers (C):

. =0 I i (pivalolactonflr' v wherein Z" and k are between about 5 to 4,000,

m" is between about 25 to 25,000,

x is from about 1 to 350, and

R is alkyl of l to 12 carbons. Preferred values for l" ;and k are about 15 to 200, for m about 100 to 5,000 and for x about 1 to 50.

The various k, l, m and n subscripts set out above are integers that represent the corresponding number of respective monomer units in the copolymer. The x subscripts are integers that represent the number of randomly located sidechain polypivalolactone segments attached to the polydiene substrate in copolymers (B) and (C). It should be understood that, in copolymers (B) and (C), there is no more than one sidechain polypivalolactone segment for each diene unit.

The molecular weights of the polypivalolactone segments in copolymers (A), (B) and (C) vary between about 500 to 400,000, and the molecular weights of the polydiene segments vary between about 1,300 to 1,700,000. Butadiene and isoprene are the contemplated dienes.

Process The novel process taught herein comprises what is preferably, but not necessarily, a so-called one-pot or continuous process. The reaction process proceeds according to the sequential relationship set out hereafter. The contemplated process is operable to produce a broader range of products than are specifically taught herein. For instance, copolymer types (A), (B) and (C) can be made with k, l, m, n, x and R values significantly broader than disclosed. Those skilled in the art, upon reading this disclosure, will understand how to operate the novel process to obtain a wider array of type (A), (B) and (C) copolymers than are specifically set out. Step 1(a) diene monomer lithium initiator in hydrocarbon solvent lithiopolydiene, and (b, optional) lithiopolydienc alkyllithium polylithiopolydiene. The lithiopolydiene of Step 1(a) may be an a-monolithioor an a,w-dilithiopolydiene. The polylithiopolydiene product of Step 1(b) is a multilithiated polydiene containing at least two lithio groups and generally-more, e.g., up to about 350 randomly located lithio groups of which no more than two are end groups. The lithium initiator is selected from the groups consisting of monolithio compounds which propagate formation of a-monolithiopolydienes, and dilithio compounds which propogate formation of a,w-dilithiopolydienes. When the lithium initiator is a dilithio compound and Step l(b) is omitted, copolymer A is produced. When the lithium initiator is a dilithio compound and Step l( b) is included, copolymer B is produced. When the lithium initiator is a monolithio compound, Step l(b) must be included and copolymer C is produced.

Step 1(a) is primarily a diene polymerization step and Step l( b) is solely a metallation (lithiation) step whereby the alkyllithium (complexed with a diamine as will more fully discussed hereafter) acts to lithiate allylic carbons in the initial lithiopolydiene.

Step 2 polylithiopolydiene CO lithium salt of polydienepolycarboxylic acid. Step 3 lithium salt of polydienepolycarboxylic acid tetraalkylammonium compound (hydroxide or halide) tetraalkylammonium salt of polydienepolycarboxylic acid Step 4 tetraalkylammonium salt pivalolactone (PVL) Copolymer A, Copolymer B, or Copolymer C in accordance with the particular lithium initiator and subsequent procedure employed in Step 1.

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION General Process Parameters Step 1 The diene polymerization (Step la) is carried out in a nonpolar medium in order to obtain a center block of sufficiently high 1,4-content to give good rubber properties in the final product. However, when B or C are the desired copolymers, aromatic-type solvents such as benzene and toluene cannot be used since they interfere with the metallation reaction of Step l(b). The rate of diene polymerization is primarily dependent upon the polymerization temperature. The preferred conditions include the temperature range from 25 to 100 C. A temperature of about 60 C. is especially preferred for best results. Under these conditions polydienes of narrow molecular weight range are obtained.

Operable monolithio initiators are alkyllithiums and include methyllithium, ethyllithium, n-butyllithium, sec-butyllithium, octyllithium and dodecyllithium. The butyllithiums are preferred.

Operable dilithio initiators include: (1) dilithio a-methylstyrene oligomer (Karoly, ACS Polymer Preprints, 10, No. 2, Sept. 1969); (2) l,3-bis(l-lithio-3- methylpentyl)benzene, made by addition of secbutyllithium to m-divinylbenzene (Kamienski, Polymer Preprints, First Akron Summit Polymer Conference, Symposium on Anionic Polymerization, University of Akron, p.24, June l8-l9, 1970), sold under the trademark DiLi-3, registered in the name of Lithium Corporation of America; (3) dilithio isoprene oligomers, (dilithio-isoprene oligomers in benzene-triethylamine solution), see Product Bulletin 191, Lithium Corporation of America; (4) l,4-dilithiol ,l,4,4-tetraphenylbutane prepared by reacting lithium with 1,1- diphenylethylene (Fetters and Morton, Macromolecules, 2, 453 (1969); and l,3-bis( l-lithio-l -methyl- 2-alkyl)benzene.

wherein R is an alkyl, prepared by the addition of m-diisopropenylbenzene The steric hindrance induced by the l-methyl groups apparently precludes the addition of further mdiisopropenyl benzene molecules with the concomittant possibility of initiators with several rather than two lithium atoms. These preferred initiators with exactly two lithium atoms can then produce pure cum-dilithiopolydienes free of undesired branch chains and permits the development of block copolymers with no sidechains attached to the initiator molecules themselves.

Thus, in general, initiator types (2) and (5), especially the latter, represent the preferred initiators. Moreover, it is expected that other useful initiators would include compounds similar to the two preferred types (2) and (5) that can be described more generally as solutions of alpha-lithio substituted dialkylbenzenes and dialkylbenzene oligomers in hexane-triethylamine solution.

In Step 1 it is important to perform Steps 1(a) and l(b) separately. The diamine complexing agent necessarily used in Step l(b) should not be present in Step l(a) since it can promote a competing side reaction involving the diene monomer and the alkyllithium or the lithiopolydiene product which results in formation of polydiene with undesirable 1,2- or 3,4-microstructure. Therefore, any diamine complexing agent employed for Step l(b) should be added only after completion or near completion of the diene polymerization. After substantially all of the diene is polymerized, the diamine can be added separately, or, in any order, with additional alkyllithium, or as a preformed complex.

Operable alkyllithium lithiating agents for Step l(b) include those listed above as monolithio initiators. The alkyllithium and diamine complexing agent can be added separately or together as a mixture. This is done after all diene has been consumed in Step 1(a) in order to preserve the high 1,4- microstructure. The mixture is then allowed to react for up to two hours or longer at about 60 C. to effect metallation.

When copolymer B or C is desired, the alkyllithium for Step 1(b) is added in an amount equivalent to the number of polypivalolactone sidechains desired, exclusive of polypivalolactone end groups.

The diamine complexing agent is usually added in an excess amount that for good results may even be as high as about 2.2 equivalents based on the total lithium employed in Steps 1(a) and 1(b). Operable complexing amines include N,N,N, N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), N,N,N', N-tetraethylethylenediamine, N,N,N', N-tetrabutyl-l,4-butylenediamine and the like.

Step 2 Carbon dioxide can be added as a solid, gas, or preferably, in solution in a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran (THF). THF is saturated with carbon dioxide (CO by bubbling the gas into it under slight pressure. This CO saturated solution is then passed into the polyanionic polymer mixture under efficient stirringbetween room temperature and the temperature employed in Step 1. Alternatively, the polylithiopolydiene solution from Step 1 may be transferred into the CO i saturated THF with vigorous stirring. Such transfer is preferably effected by applying argon pressure to force the solution of polylithiopolydiene through glass or steel tubing from the first closed reactor to the second. After allowing sufficient time for the carboxylation to be completed, the mixture can be heated to drive off excess CO This can also be accomplished by bubbling nitrogen through the mixture or mild evacuation. In this step a small amount of pure THF can be added to the polydiene polyanionic system to reduce the viscosity, if necessary. N,N,N',N-Tetramethylethylenediamine may also be used toaccomplish the task of reducing viscosity. The reduction of viscosity is desirable in that it allows more efficient mixingof carbon dioxide.

Step 3 This process step involves exchange of tetraalkylammonium cations for lithium cations in the polydienepolycarboxylate. The reaction can be illustrated by the equation 10ly llann( i0-NR4 '-l- LtX where R.,NX represents an organic soluble quaternary ammonium hydroxide or halide. in the formula R NX, R. N is a quaternary ammonium ion in which R is alky of l to 12 carbons or carbocyclic aralkyl of 7 to 18 carbons, and X is a hydroxyl, chloride, bromide or iodide ion. In the R' N ion the R groups can be the same or different alkyl or aralkyl groups. Suitable quaternary ammonium ions are tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, tetra-n-butylammonium, benzyl trimethylammonium and dodecyl trimethylammonium ions. Tetrabutyl ammonium compounds are preferred sources of quaternary ammonium ions. The preferred compounds are tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and tetrabutylammonium chloride, although other salts than the chloride can be used.

The reaction proceeds at temperatures down to about 0 C. and is preferably conducted in the range from room temperature to about 60 C. although highertemperatures can be employed. It is surprising that under'these conditions the exchange of cations in the above equation is essentially complete. Instead, an equilibrium condition and the existence of a significant proportion of unchanged R NX in the reaction system would ordinarily be expected. This is an important aspect since in the following Step 4, when pivalolactone (PVL) is present, unchanged R' NX in the mixture could initiate undesirable formation of PVL homopolymer.

Although the R NX compound could be added in excess, it might then become necessary to isolate and purify the polymeric quaternary ammonium salt to remove excess or unreacted R' NX before addition of pivalolactone. Otherwise, free PVL homopolymer could be formed and could interfere with product properties or, at least, raise the problem of its removal. Excess or unreacted R NX can be removed by precipitation in a nonsolvent for the polymer, steam stripping,

etc.

To eliminate the necessity for. R NX removal, it is preferred to use no more than an equivalent amount of R' NX, based on total lithium. It is most preferred to employ less than an equivalent amount R NX. It has beenfound, in fact, that as little as 20 percent or less of an equivalent amount of R' NX is sufficient to achieve the desired result in the following Step 4. Step 4 Pivalolactone monomer is added to the tetraalkyl ammonium salt product of Step 3 and polymerized at a temperature between about 0 to C. Room temperature is preferred. The polymerization is carried out in a nonpolar solvent such as cyclohexane, benzene, or toluene or in a polar solvent such as tetrahyd'rofuran or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether or in a combination of polar and nonpolar solvents. The use of polar solvents alone or in combination with nonpolar solvents is preferred since such media provide less viscous, more readily stirrable reaction mixtures.

Surprisingly, when less than the equivalent amount of R' NX is used, after the first step of initiation of PVL polymerization has occurred and the quaternary ammonium ion becomes transferred to the carboxylate (anionic) end of a growing polypivalolactone chain there takes place an apparently very rapid transfer between such quaternary ammonium cations and lithium cations at all carboxylate sites. The end result is an essentially equivalent propagation of growing polypivalolactone chains at all carboxylate sites on the polydiene polycarboxylic base. This effect is illustrated in Examples 5,6 and 7.

Steps 3 and 4 can be combined and if combined the PVL monomer can be added before, during or after addition of the R NX compound, if the latter is used in no more than an equivalent amount, calculated on the lithium in the lithium salt of the polydienepolycarboxylic acid. By adding PVL beforehand a desirable blending of PVL into the mixture can be achieved before its polymerization is initiated by the quaternary ammonium polydienepolycarboxylate. if "the PVL is first dis solved in THF and then added, there is an added advantage in reduced tendency for precipitation of the polydiene.

Temperature is quite important should it be desired to combine Steps 3 and 4. Temperatures should be kept at about 50 C. or below and preferably below 30 C., to avoid competing homopolypivalolactone formation by the quaternary ammonium hydroxide or halide.

7 Under these mild conditions the reaction of the quaternary ammonium compound with the lithium salt of the polydienepolycarboxylic acid (the reaction of Step 3). and the reaction of the quaternary ammonium salt formed thereby with pivalolactone are much more rapid than the reaction of pivalolactone with quaternary ammonium compound. Therefore, pivalolactone can be added to the lithium salt of the polydienepolycarboxylic acid before or after the Step 3 addition of the quaternary ammonium compound thereto.

The novel copolymers disclosed herein are useful for various purposes as will be evident to those skilled in the art. As articles of manufacture, uses include elastic fibers, extensible films, general purpose rubbers (tires), high impact strength plastics, injection molded articles, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following Examples are meant to illustrate but not to limit the invention. The Examples are followed by a discussion of the surprising properties displayed by these novel copolymers. in each of the Examples, the making of the corresponding butadiene-containing copolymer can be effected by substitution of equivalent amounts of butadiene for isoprene.

EXAMPLE 1 Pivalolactone/lsoprene/Pivalolactone Copolymer (A) Step 1(a) Polyisoprene Dilithio a-Methylstyrene Oligomer (Initiator) A small (59 mm X 28 mm) dry glass vial containing a magnetic stirring bar was loaded with 0.15 g of lithium powder in an argon atmosphere. The vial was sealed with a serum stopper, positioned over a magnetic stirrer, and arranged for continuous flowthrough of argon via two hypodermic needles piercing the stopper. With argon flowing and stirrer running, toluene (5 ml), purified a-methylstyrene (2ml) and-dry tetrahydrofuran (0.6 ml) were introduced successively through another hypodermic needle, which was then removed. The contents of the vial were stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature and then allowed to stand for at least 20 minutes to permit excess lithium to float to the surface so that samples of fluid product drawn into a syringe through an inserted hypodermic needle would be essentially free of metallic lithium.

Polymerization A dry 250 ml flask containing a magnetic stirring bar and argon under slight positive pressure was loaded with 50 ml of dry toluene and ml (ca 10 g) of isoprene. The isoprene had been previously purified and kept under argon by drying regular isoprene over calcium hydride, treating it with butyllithium and allowing heat of polymerization to distill excess monomer through a stillhead into a dry receiver. The mixture in the reaction flask was stirred and heated by means of an external water bath at 60 C. A 0.6-ml quantity of the dilithio a-methylstyrene oligomer prepared in Part (a) was injected into the flask, the first 0.2 ml slowly and the remainder rapidly. The heating bath was removed as soon as the initiator had been added and stirred into the reaction mixture Polymerization began very rapidly, as indicated by increase in viscosity. The solution was allowed to stir 45 minutes to insure substantially complete polymerization of the isoprene. (A polyisoprene previously prepared in identical fashion was found to have a number average molecular weight of about 40,000). Step (2) Carboxylation of the Polyisoprene Dry tetrahydrofuran (80 ml) was added to the dilithiopolyisoprene prepared in step l and the mixture was stirred to dissolve the viscous polymer. A dry glass inlet tube was inserted through a side arm of the polymerization flask and carbon dioxide was bubbled into the polymer solution for 30 minutes. The solution became more viscous and its yellow color was quickly dischargedfStirring was continued for about 2 hours after the carbon dioxide flow was stopped, and then an additional ml of tetrahydrofuran was added to reduce the viscosity of the solution.

Step (3) Tetrabutylammonium Salt of Carboxylated Polyisoprene The solution of the dilithium salt of polyisoprene-a, w-dicarboxylic acid prepared in Step (2) was treated with 12 g of a 25 percent solution of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol. The reaction mixture underwent an immediate marked decrease in viscosity, and it was stirred overnight at 35 C. The reaction mixture was then subjected to three successive steam distillations by introducing steam through a glass inlet tube, the precipitated polymer in the flask being redissolved twice in tetrahydrofuran between steamings. The polymer was next dried by dissolving it in benzene at the boiling point and removing water via the azeotrope with boiling benzene. The residual benzene in the dried solution was substantially removed under reduced pressure and the residue was taken up in 150 m1 of dry tetrahydrofuran.

Step (4) Polymerization of Pivalolactone A solution of 4 ml of pivalolactone in 50 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added with stirring at room temperature to the solution of tetrabutylammonium salt of a,w-polyisoprenedicarboxylic acid prepared in Step (3). A gel formed; it was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature annd was then thoroughly mixed with ethanol containing acetic acid and a small amount of phenyl-B-naphthylamine antioxidant. The precipitated polymer was filtered off and dried in a vacuum oven at approximately 60 C. The dried polymer weighed 12.9 g (92 percent yield, based on 10 g of isoprene and 4 g of pivalolactone used in the preparation). A 7-mil film of the polymer, pressed at 212 C under 1,000 psi pressure, was strong and elastomeric.

An 8.35-g portion of the above polymer was refined by extraction for three days with benzene to remove any isoprene homopolymer. The undissolved highly swollen polymer was separated from fluid benzene solution and agitated in a blender with ethanol containing phenyl-B-naphthylamine. The resultant solid was filtered and dried to give 7.2 g of recovered benzeneinsoluble polymer which analyzed for 78.80 percent carbon and 10.42 percent hydrogen (indicating a block copolymer containing 33.4 percent by weight of pivalolactone). A film of the refined polymer, pressed at 215 C and 2,500 psi pressure, gave strips exhibiting approximately 20 percent cold draw. A strip of the film was mechanically drawn to a percent strain at a rate of 50 percent per minute and then allowed to relax for 18 hours; the strip then showed a tensile strength of 730 psi at a break elongation of 540 percent.

EXAMPLE Pivalolactone/lsoprene/Pivalolactone Copolymer (A) The stepwise procedure of Example 1 was followed as described, except that steps (3) and (4) were altered as follows: r I Step (3) Tetrabutylammonium Salt of Polyisoprenedicarboxylic Acid 1 The solution of the dilithium salt of oz,m-polyisoprenedicarboxylic acid prepared in step (2) was treated with ml of 1M tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Most of the solvent was then removed under reduced pressure and the residue was mixed with ethanol in a blender to effect precipitation of the polymer in subdivided form. The slightly sticky polymer was separated and worked a second time with fresh ethanol in the blender. The polymer was again separated, then dissolved in benzene. Benzene, water and ethanol were removed from the solution under re duced pressure. The dry residual polymer was then dissolved in 200 ml of tetrahydrofuran.

Step (4) Formation of Polypivalolactone Pivalolactone (5.5 ml) was added at room temperature with stirring to the solution of tetrabutylammonium salt of polyisoprenedicarboxylic acid prepared in Step (3). A gel formed rapidly. It was allowed to stand overnight at room temperature, was then mixed thoroughly with 300ml tetrahydrofuran to facilitate dissolution of soluble polymer into the non-gel phase. The gel was separated by centrifugation and mixed thoroughly with ethanol containing acetic acid and phenyl-B-naphthylamine. The polymer thus precipitated was filtered and dried under vacuum at 60 C.

The dried polymer (13.2 g, 85 percent yield) analyzed for 77.49 percent carbon and 10.49 percent hydrogen, which corresponds to a copolymer containing 37.4 percent by weight of pivalolactone. A clear film pressed at 215 C. and 1,500 psi pressure was found to cold draw to a white, opaque, strong elastomer.

EXAMPLE 3 1 Pivalolactone/lsoprene/Pivalolactone Copolymer (A) In this example the general procedure of Example 2 was followed, the major change being the use of DiLi-3 (A registered trademark of Lithium Corporation of America) as the initiator in step( 1): 1,3-bis( l-lithio-3- methylpentyl)-benzene, made by addition of secbutyllithium to m-divinylbenzene.

Step (1a) Polyisoprene A reaction flask was placed in a water bath at 60 C and loaded with a solution of ml (ca 10 g) of isoprene in 50 ml of cyclohexane, and 0.6 ml of 0.85N initiator was then added. Six minutes after adding the initiator, polymerization of the isoprene became sovigorous that the heating bath was replaced with an ice bath in order to control the reaction. After 1. hour and 42 minutes, 100 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran was added to the very viscous polyisoprene solution.

Step (2) Lithium Salt of Polyisoprenedicarboxylic Acid lowed by bubbling nitrogen through the viscous solution to remove most of the excess carbon dioxide. Step (3) Tetrabutylammonium Salt Formation Ten milliliters of 1 molar tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol was added to the solution of polymeric lithium salt and the resulting low viscosity solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. Most of the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the polymeric tetrabutylammonium salt product was then precipitated in a blender with ethanol. The polymer was filtered, worked a second. time in the blender with ethanol, recovered by centrifuging, and dissolved in hot benzene. The benzene was removed under reduced pressure, the polymeric salt was dissolved in 200 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and the solution was filtered. Step (4) Pivalolactone Polymerization Pivalolactone (5.5 ml) was added at room temperature with stirring to the solution of tetrabutylammonium salt of polyisoprenedicarboxylic acid from step (3). A gel formed, was washed with 600 ml of tetrahydrofuran in a blender, and the resulting fluid was centrifuged. The gel which separated was added to ethyl alcohol containing some acetic acid and phenyl- B-naphthylamine to precipitate the block copolymer.

The polymer, after filtering and drying, weighed 9.85

g and was found to contain 75.42 percent carbon and 9.92 percent hydrogen, which indicates a copolymer containing 45.7 percent pivalolactone by weight. A 10 to ll-mil film of this polymer, pressed at 215 C and 5,000 psi pressure, had a tensile strength of 2,341 psi at 1,214 percent elongation. A sample of the same film was hand-drawn and exercised, after which it had a tensile strength of 4,894 psi at a break elongation of 528 percent. An x-ray diffraction pattern of the exercised film indicated that the polypivalolactone portion was crystalline but substantially unoriented. A similar film of the polymer, after being stored for about 3 weeks and then drawn, showed an average tensile strength of 3,139 psi at 417 percent elongation at room temperature and of 1,800 psi at 415 percent elongation at 100 C.

Making of Press-Spun Fibers Additional samples of pivalolactone/isoprene/- pivalolactone (ABA) block copolymer were prepared by the procedure of Example 3 with only slight changes: In step (1) ml of cyclohexane was used, and at the end of step (2) the solution was centrifuged rather than filtered. Two such products, analyzing for 41.7 and 44.8 percent pivalolactone, were blended in the amount of 7 and 8 g,respectively, and the blend was molded at 220 C and 3,000 psi pressure to form a plug seven-sights inch in diameter. Fibers were spun from this plug through asingle l5-mil spinneret orifice at 210-215 C and about 12,000 psi pressure, an exit rate of 12 feet per minute, and a windup rate of 40 feet per minute, thus providing a draw ratio of 3.3 during the spinning. The rubbery monofilament showed a tenacity of 0.41 .g per denier at a break elongation of 345 percent, and after heat-setting for 1.5 hours in boiling water it had a tenacity of 0.63 g per denier at a break elongation of 154 percent. Another sample of the ABA polymer containing 43.9 percent pivalolactone was pressed into a film at 220 C and 1,000 psi pressure; and strips of this film, after being drawn and exercised, showed an average tensile strength of 7,570 psi at an average elongation of 285 percent.

EXAMPLE 4 Pivalolactone/lsoprene/Pivalolactone Copolymer (A) In this example the general procedure of Example 3 was followed with modifications which allowed all steps to be carried out in the original reactor without removal or isolation of any product except the final block Copolymer. Step la) A 250-ml flask equipped with a magnetic stirring bar, a reflux condenser and a gas inlet tube was loaded with 75 ml of cyclohexane and 15 ml of purified isoprene under argon. DiLi-3 (0.6 ml, 0.86N) initiator was added and the mixture warmed to 55 C for one hour during which the isoprene polymerized to give a highly viscous red-colored solution. The heat was removed and the reaction mixture allowed to come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Step (2) The reaction mixture was then cooled to C and 100 ml of tetrahydrofuran, previously saturated with dry carbon dioxide under 4 psig pressure, was added. The mixture was allowed to warm to 25 C, during which time its red color faded and following some brief initial gellation its viscosity dropped to a fairly low level. Step (3) After about 90 minutes, during which time the homogeneous solution became colorless, 0.13 ml of tetramethylethylenediamine was added and the solution viscosity dropped further. The solution'was then reheated to 60 C. for 15 minutes and the flask vented with nitrogen to expel excess carbon dioxide. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (0.54 ml, an amount equivalent to the DiLi-3 used) was added and the mixture kept at about 60 C. for 0.5 hours. The viscosity of the solution showed a further great decrease immediately after adding the tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. The color immediately turned to a yellow amber which gradually faded to a very pale amber. Step (4) After 0.5 hour at 60 C., the solution was cooled to room temperature and 5.5 ml of pivalolactone was added. The resultant mixture was warmed slightly, and in about 15 minutes gelation occurred and it became too viscous to stir. it was let stand at room temperature overnight, and then was mixed with 250 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was transferred to a blender, and after being blended it was centrifuged. Extraction with THF showed no homopolyisoprene. The mixture was finally processed in a blender with about an equal volume of ethanol containing acetic acid and phenyl-B-naphthylamine antioxidant. The shredded polymer was separated on a filter and dried at room temperature under vacuum; yield, 12.5 g (80 percent, based on starting materials). Analysis by l. R. indicated approximately 45 percent pivalolactone in the polymer.

Test samples of the polymer were pressed into films at 230 C. The clear films were strong and highly resilient elastomers, but tended to become opaque upon being drawn.

EXAMPLE 5 Pivalolactone/lsoprene/Pivalolactone Copolymer (A) In this example the one-pot procedure of Example 4 was followed. However, addition of tetramethylethylenediamine as a lithium salt complexing agent was omitted and only a 0.5 equivalent of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide was used.

The process was carried out in a 500-ml flask and the following details are noted. Step (la)Isoprene Polymerization. Cyclohexane, 250 ml; isoprene, 30 ml; DiLi-3, 8.35 X 10 eq. Reaction at 60 C. for 40 minutes, then one hour at room temperature. Calculated molecular weight for quantitative reaction: 50,000. Step (2) Carboxylation. Tetrahydrofuran solvent, 50 ml; tetrahydrofuran saturated with C0 150 ml. Mixture at room temperature for 10 minutes then at 60 C. for 1 hour. Step (3) Salt Transfer. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 4.15 X 10 eq. Viscosity and color changes were essentially as in Example 4. Step (4) Polypivalolactone. Pivalolactone, 7.0 ml, was added slowly at 60 C. over 3 minutes. The mixture gelled in 7 minutes and cooled to room temperature in one hour. No homopolyisoprene was found upon extraction with THF. This proves chain transfer between Li" and "NR, since without chain transfer, statistically there would be 25 percent homopolyisoprene. The product (83.5 percent yield) contained 30 percent pivalolactone as determined by elemental analysis. Films and fibers were prepared, and were found to be strong, snappy and elastomeric.

EXAMPLE 6 Pivalolactone/lsoprene/Pivalolactone Copolymer (A) In this example the general procedure of Example 5 was followed, except that pivalolactone was added prior to tetrabutylammonium chloride, which was used in place of the hydroxide.

The process was carried out in a 500-ml flask and the following details are noted.

Step (la) lsoprene Polymerization. Cyclohexane, 300 ml, isoprene, 30 ml, DiLi-3, 8.35 X l0 eq., were combined and warmed for 40 minutes at 60 C. The reaction mixture was then allowed to come to room temperature in an hour.

Step (2) Carboxylation. Tetrahydrofuran solvent, 25 ml, and then tetrahydrofuran saturated with C0 ml, were added; the reaction proceeded 5 minutes at room temperature and then 1 hour at 60 C. Steps (3) and (4) Salt Transfer/Polypivalolactone. Pivalolactone (7.0 ml) was added at room temperature with no change in viscosity. Tetrabutylammonium chloride (4.17 X 10 eq.) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran was added with a significant decrease in viscosity occuring on addition. The viscosity began to increase within 4 minutes and a gel formed within 15 minutes. The reaction was allowed to stand overnight. The product (84 percent yield) contained 25.6 percent pivalolactone as determined by elemental analysis and no homopolyisoprene as determined by extraction with THF. [t was readily moldable from a fluid melt into a strong extensible elastomeric film.

EXAMPLE 7 Pivalolactone/lsoprene Copolymer (C) Step (la) Polyisoprene Substrate. .Two simultaneous preparations were carried out under argon in 250-ml reactors (A and B) equipped with magnetic-stirrers, reflux condensers and gas inlet tubes. Each flask was charged with 100 ml of cyclohexane and 10 ml (0.1 mole) of isoprene, and then 0.056 ml (6.8 X 10 mole) of 1.21N sec-butyllithium solution. The mixtures were stirred at 60 C for 1.5 hours. Tetramethylethylenediamine (0.1 ml 1.0 X mole) was then added and the mixtures kept at 60 C for an additional half hour after which they were vented while at reflux to remove any unpolymerized isoprene.

Step (lb) Polylithiation of Substrate. The monomerfree solutions of monolithiopolyisoprene were treated with additional 0.224 ml (2.7 X 10 mole) portions of 1.21N sec-butyllithium, and the reaction was allowed to proceed for 2 hours at 60 C. (the total equivalents of RLi in each reactor was now 3.38 X 10" moles). The color of the mixtures slowly turned to deep amber, their viscosities increased, and butane was evolved. Periodic observation indicated that the butane evolution, color changes and viscosity increases were substantially completed within the first hour.

Step (2) Carboxylation of Lithiated Substrate. Carbon dioxide was bubbled into the reaction mixtures. Stiff gels were formed. Tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) was added to loosen the gels, the resulting colorless mixtures were kept at 60C. for 30 minutes, and then nitrogen was bubbled through while heating to remove excess carbon dioxide. Step (3) Salt Exchange on Carboxylated Substrate. In flask A was placed 0.352 ml (3.38 X 10' mole), i.e., 100 percent of the lithium equivalent, and in flask B 0.176 ml (1.69 X 10 mole), i.e., 50 percent of the lithium equivalent, of 25 percent tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in methanol. The mixtures were heated to 60 C. for minutes and then cooled to room temperature. Step (4) Polypivalolactone. Pivalolactone 1.7 ml) was added to each flask, and the mixtures were warmed briefly and then let stand overnight without stirring. Tight gels were formed which were macerated with tetrahydrofuran in a blender. The resulting fluid mixtures were centrifuged and the tetrahydrofuran supernatant portions were removed. The remaining compressed gels were thoroughly mixed with ethanol containing acetic acid and phenyl-B-naphthylamine antioxidant and the precipitated solids were filtered off and dried under vacuum.

Examination of the final products showed them to be essentially identical. Elemental analysis indicated that both contained about 23 percent pivalolactone. Their LR. spectra were identical, and they could be pressed into strong elastomeric films. The films showed elongations in excess of 1,500 percent, very little cold draw, and tensile strengths of 2,500 psi at break. When heated above 200 C. they melted rather sharply and flowed freely. The similarity of products indicated chain transfer had made all polypivalolactone segments equivalent.

EXAMPLE 8 Pivalolactone/lsoprene Copolymer (C) In this example, the general procedure of Example 7 was followed; the process was run in a 500-ml reactor and the following details are noted. Step (la) lsoprene Polymerization. Cyclohexane, 250 ml; isoprene, 50 ml; sec-butyllithium, 0.3 ml of 1.27N solution (3.8 X 10' mole), added slowly; temperature, 50 C; time to observable viscosity increase, 10 minutes; tetraethylenediamine, 0.7 ml (6 X 10' mole), added after 1.5 hours, accompanied by significant drop in viscosity and formation of deep yellow color; total reaction time, 2 hours, followed by venting with argon.

Step (lb)Lithiation of Polyisoprene Substrate. Secbutyllithium, 1.5 ml (1.9 X 10 mole) of 1.27N solution added slowly; temperature, 50 C; reaction time, 2 hours.

Step (2) Carboxylation of Polylithiated Substrate. Started at room temperature by adding 200 ml of tetrahydrofuran previously saturated with carbon dioxide. Initially formed gel broke up and amber color faded with formation of colorless viscous solution, all within 10 minutes. The mixture was heated to 50 C.; reaction time, 30 minutes. Excess CO was removed by venting with nitrogen.

Step (3) Salt Exchange on Carboxylated Substrate. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 1.2 ml of 25 percent solution in methanol (9.8 X 10 mole) about 1/2 eq. based on total lithium, was added over 7 minutes. The reaction proceeded at 50 C. for 30 more minutes. The low viscosity solution was then cooled to room temperature.

Step (4) Polypivalolactone. Pivalolactone, 1 1.0 ml. was added slowly at room temperature. A gel formed within about 13 minutes. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight to insure completion of the reaction. The precipitated and dried product, in percent yield, contained 24.9 percent by weight of pivalolactone. It was moldable and melt spinnable into elastic fibers at 250 C. Film samples were elastomeric with unusually high elongations of 3,600 percent to 4,500 percent at break and showed essentially complete recovery after an initial draw without breaking.

EXAMPLE 9 Pivalolactone/lsoprene Copolymer (B) [n this example the general procedure of Examples 7 and 8 were followed, but DiLi-3 was used instead of sec-butyllithium as initiator in the formation of the polyisoprene substrate.

Step (la) lsoprene Polymerization. Cyclohexane, 300 ml; isoprene, 30 ml (20.4 g, 0.3 mole); DiLi-3, 0.93N, 0.5 ml (4.65 X 10" eq.); temperature, 60 C; time, 1.5 hours.

Step (lb) Lithiation of Polyisoprene. Tetramethylethylenediamine, 0.55 ml (3.82 X 10' mole); temperature, 60 C; sec-butyllithium, 1.27N, 1.0 ml (1.27 X l0- eq.), added slowly after 20 minutes at 60 C; total time, 2.33 hours.

Step (2) Carboxylation of Lithiated Polyisoprene. At room temperature, tetrahydrofuran (25 ml) followed by tetrahydrofuran previously saturated with C05 ml); heated to 60 C; reaction time at 60 C, 0.5 hour.

Step (3) Salt Exchange on Carboxylated Substrate. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, 1.04 ml (8.35 X 10' mole); temperature, 60 C; time, 0.5 hour.

Step (4) Polypivalolactone. Pivalolactone, 8.6 g in 25 ml of tetrahydrofuran, was added'at room temperature and reacted overnight. The elastomeric product, 24.4 g (84.0 percent yield), contained 33.7 percent pivalolactone by elemental analysis.

EXAMPLE 10 Pivalolactone/lsoprene Copolymer (B) In this example the general procedure of Example 9 was followed except that tetrabutylammonium chloride was used instead of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in the salt (ion) exchange step on the carboxylated substrate. The following details are noted.

Step (la) Isoprene Polymerization. Cyclohexane, 300 ml; isoprene, 30 ml (20.4 g, 0.3 mole); DiLi-3, 0.93N, 0.9 ml (8.38 X eq.); temperature, 60 C; time, 1.5 hours.

Step lb) Lithiation of Polyisoprene. Tetramethylethylenediamine, 0.7 ml (4.8 X 10 eq.); temperature, 60 C; sec-butyllithium, 1.27N, 1.0 ml (1.27 X 10' eq.), added after 20 minutes at 60 C; total time, 2.33 hours.

Steps (2) and (3) Carboxylation/Salt Exchange. Room temperature; added 150 ml CO -saturated tetrahydrofuran containing 0.39 g (1.4 X 10 eq) tetrabutylammonium chloride; time, 1 hour.

Step (4) Polypivalolactone. Pivalolactone, 8.6 ml in 25 ml of tetrahydrofuran, was added at room temperature and reacted overnight. The elastomeric product, 23.0 g (80 percent yield), contained 37.4 percent pivalolactone.

The copolymer obtained in this example was an outstanding moldable and spinnable elastomer. A 200- denier filament was spun at 264 C. through a single hole mil spinneret from a A inch plug under 500 psi. The copolymer was remolded several times without loss of properties. In fact, both fibers and film gained in tensile strength upon working. Working included initial cold drawing after which the copolymers recovered substantially completely.

EXAMPLE 1] Pivalolactone/lsoprene Copolymer (B) 1(a) Polyisoprene Preparation of the l,3-Bis(l-lithio-l,3-dimethylpentyl)benzene initiator A dry quart bottle is flushed with argon and stoppered with a rubber septum through which an argon breather tube is inserted. 440 ml of sodium-dried cyclohexane, 21 ml (150 meg) of twice distilled and butyllithium-dried triethylamine, and 38.4 ml (50 meq) of 1.3 N s-butyllithium is placed in this bottle. To this mixture is slowly added 4.34 ml (50 meq) of freshly distilled, butyllithium-dried m-diisopropenylbenzene. The reaction mixture is held for l-2 hours at room temperature, the breather tube removed, and the resulting 0.1 N solution then placed in a refrigerated drybox until ready for use. Normally the catalyst ages for a couple of days to insure complete reaction of the diisopropenyl compound with butyllithium.

Polymerization A flame-dried 2-liter reactor is fitted with a sealed top, a T-tube for maintaining a dry argon atmosphere, a vibromixer stirrer, and a septum-stoppered inlet port. Into this reactor are placed 900 ml of sodium-dried cyclohexane and 120 ml (80 g) of butyllithium-dried isoprene. The mixture is heated to 50 C. and charged with 64 ml of the above 0.1 N l,3-bis( l-lithio-l,3- dimethylpentyl)benzene initiator solution. The reaction mixture reaches 56 C., the heating bath is removed and a cooling bath applied in order to maintain the temperature at about 52 C. After 47 minutes and the subsidence of the reaction, a further application of the heating bath maintain the reactor temperature at 53 C. The reaction proceeds for 2 hours, during which time essentially all the isoprene reacts. At this time the reaction mixture is highly viscous due to association of the lithiated chain ends of the a, w-dilithiopolyisoprene. The small amount of triethylamine present enhances the reaction rate but has no adverse effect on the polydiene microstructure which appears to be greater than 90 percent in the total 1,4-content.

After the completion of the diene polymerization, 0.50 ml of tetramethylethylenediarnine (TMEDA), distilled from a mixture with metallic sodium, is added to the reaction mixture. The viscosity immediately drops as the lithium groups dissociate through complexing with the TMEDA. The color also changes from a very pale ginger to deep yellow. The reaction proceeds for an additional 10 minutes to allow the consumption of any residual isoprene monomer by the activated polymeric dianions. Step l( b) Lithiation of Polyisoprene A mixture of 35 ml of dry cyclohexane, 2.7 ml of TMEDA and 5.2 ml of 1.45 N n-butyllithium is then added to the reaction mixture to effect metallation of the polymer backbone. The mixture, stirred for 1 hour at 53 C., gives a clear, deep amber, polydienepolyanionic solution. The reaction then cools to 25 C. in preparation for transfer to a carbon dioxide-saturated THF solution. Step 2 Carboxylation of Lithiated Polyisoprene In a second 2-liter reactor is placed 900 ml of sodium-dried THF saturated with carbon dioxide. The polydienepolycarbanion solution is then transferred from the first to the second reactor through a glass transfer tube by pressurizing the first reactor with argon, with vigorous stirring during the transfer to maximize contact of carbanions with excess carbon dioxide and thus prevent crosslinking by ketone formation. Excess carbon dioxide is removed from the resulting clear, colorless viscous solution by mild evacuation and vigorous stirring. Finally, additional THF is added to further reduce the viscosity of the polymer mixture, now weighing 1,658 gm. Step 3 Salt Exchange on Carboxylated Substrate A 196 gm. portion of the above solution, containing 9.4 gm. of polyisoprene'with 1.65 meq. of lithium carboxylate is transferred to a third reactor. To this is added 2.3 ml of 0.36 N tetrabutylammonium chloride in THF (0.83 meq); and the mixture stirred for 23 minutes to allow for the establishment of equilibrium. Step 4 Polypivalolactone 8.7 gm. of the pivalolactone monomer is dissolved in 25 ml of THF and slowly added to the polymer solution. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 28 minutes, at which time gelation occurs. The gelled reaction mixture, after sitting overnight, is blended with an additional 225 ml of THF and then precipitated by adding 400 ml of 28 ethanol. The polymer is filtered, washed three times with 50ml aliquots of ethanol, and then swollen with 50 ml of benzene containing 90 mg of phenyl B-naphthylamine antioxidant. A vacuum at C. removes the benzene and yields a 17 gm. sample of block graft polymer. The calculated composition of this sample is:

a. 25,000 g/m polyisoprene molecular weight,

b. 3.7 total carboxylate graft sites including ends,

c. 48 percent pivalolactone, each segment having a degree of polymerization (DP) of 53.

The melted polymer displayes high fluidity.

Fiber Test Data Tensile at break 047 g/d lnstron 0.78 g/d Suter testor Elongation at break 266% lnstron 340'71 Suter testor Load Power at 50% elongation 42 mg/ed Load Power at 90% elongation 84 mg/ed Unload Power at 50% elongation 27 mg/ed Unload Power at 90% elongation 70 mg/ed Permanent set 8.5%.

Tables 1 and 2 and Discussion of Copolymer Properties All of the novel copolymers are readily injection moldable and melt spinnable at temperatures of about 250 to 275 C. As will be seen from Tables 1 and 2 that follow, the novel copolymers are characterized by good elongation properties, high tensile strengths and by high melt indices at temperatures of 250 C. and above. it has been found that there is little or no flow at temperatures of 200 C. and below. In fact, it is especially characteristic of the novel copolymers, regarding melt flow properties, that they have a melt index of essentially zero at about 180 C. and below, and a melt index of at least 2.0 at 250 C. and above (ASTM D 1238- 57T).

The novel copolymers are also characterized by moderately narrow molecular weight ranges originating in the polydiene substrate. It has been found that they have dispersities between about L0 to 2.0. These desirable molecular weight distributions influence melt viscosity and tensile strength properties. See F. W. Billmeyer, Textbook of Polymer Science. Interscience Publishers, 1966. pps. 208-21 l; and. .l. Brandrup et aL, Polymer Handbook, Chapter F. Rudd. J. Poly. Sci. 44, 459-470 (1960).

Dispersities determined for the copolymers made by the procedures of the Examples are as follows: Examples l to 3, between 1.3 to 1.6; Examples 4-6 and 9-10, between 1.6 to 1.7; Examples 7-8, between 1.0 to 1.3.

Without wishing to be bound by this explanation, it is hypothesized that exercising; increases tensile strength by causing molecular orientation of the polydiene segments as well as of the polypivalolactone segments. Exercised fibers, filaments, films or articles of manufacture such as molded, pressed or spun articles a e i ltts with n the se pesf thi inxemiq TABLE 1 Properties of Copolymers Having Polyisoprene Block of Approximately 50,000 M.W.

Sample Copolymer Wt. 7( Tested at Tensile strength Elong. at

No. Type PVL Form C. psi or g/d break Melt index Temp C. Rate of flow (g/min.)

l (A) 43.9 film 25 7570 285 2 (A 45.7 film 25 3050 415 3 (A) 457 film i800 415 250 5.3 4 (A) 28.5 250 8.0 5 (A 28.5 200 0 6 (8) 46.5 260 34 Made in accordance with the novel process of this inventiont'or the particular type of copolymer. i.e., (A) or (B) ASTM test No. D l23ii57'l'. All polymers preheated approximately 1 hr. at indicated temperature prior to making test. Samples 2 and 3 were from the same copolymer. that of Example 3. Same copolymer as Sample 4. 5 Calculated to have 3 polypivaloluctone-eontuining sidechains.

TABLE 2 Properties of Copolymers Having the indicated Polyisoprene Molecular Weights Equiv, of 1 Press M.W. of No. of tetraalkyl- Degree of temp Tensile Co olymer polyiso' PVL ammonium polymeri' or spinstrength Elong. at Sample type Ex. prene side. salt based zation ning temp. psi or break No. No. (M,,) chains on total l.i PVl. PVl. Form C g/d "/1 Remarks 7 ((J/ll |(l(l,tlt)0 5' 043 24.9 48 I film 260 I645 4800 unexercised 8 some film 260 5100 3200 exereised 9 same fiber 250 0.24g/d 946 drawn and heat set TABLE 2 Continued Equiv. of Press M.W. of No. of tetraalkyl- Degree of temp Tensile Copolymer polyiso- PVL ammonium polymerior spinstrength Elong. at Sample type Ex. prene side. salt based 7; zation ning temp. psi or break Nov No. (M,,) chains on total Li PVL PVL Form "C g/d Remark 10 same fiber 250 0.l5g/d 2335 as spun I I (C) 100.000 5 0.43 24 48 film 250 2700 4200 unexercised 12 (A) 50,000 none 0.50 27 84 film 260 14-10 4600 unexercisetl 13 same film 260 4650 2700 exercised 14 (A) 20.000 none 0.43 41 60 film 270 450 500 unexercised 5 (A )/5 film 260 1330 4600 unexercised 16 same film 260 2620 2600 predrawn 1 cycle 17 (A )/6 50,000 none 0.5 28 9O film 260 1080 4100 unexercised pressed on Al 18 same film 260 850 3800 unexercised pressed on Teflon 1) some film 260 1770 3300 exercised 20 (11 )/J 90,000 3 0.5 3.3.7 53 film 2H0 5 100 2600 excr cisctl 2| 100,000 5 0.5 2!) 44 film 260 5350 1800 exercised 22 (ll l 0 50,000 3 0.5 37.4 50 film 270 2600 2600 unexercised 23 some film 270 1 1000 1500 exer cised 24 some film 270 (9000- (1200 exer- 1500) 1500) cised 25 same fibers 265 0.47 700 exercised 26 same fibers 265 0.5-0.8 600- exer- 1000 cised 'lensile and elongation measurements were made both on :1 Scott Rubber Tensile Tester with a crosshead speed of 6600 /dmin. and on an lnstron Tester at 4007t/min.

Results agree. I

2 Made in uccordunce with the novel process of this invention for the particular type of copolymer. i.e.. (A). (B) or (C) The embodiments of the invention in which an exclu- 40 lactone segments vary between about 500 to 400,000,

sive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A copolymer derived from pivalolactone and a diene selected from isoprene and butadiene, said c0- polymer being of the formula wherein 1,n and k are between about 5 to 4,000,

m is between about 25 to 25,000, and x is from about 1 to 350, and wherein the molecular weights of the polypivaloand the molecular weight of the polydiene segment varies between about 1,300 to 1,700,000, said copolymer being further characterized by having a melt index of zero at 180 C and at least 2.0 at 250 C.

2. A copolymer acccording to claim 1 wherein l, n and k are between 15 to 200, m is between to 5,0- 00, and x is between 1 to 50.

3. A copolymer according to claim 1 wherein the diene unit is isoprene.

4. A copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the diene unit is butadiene.

5. An exercised copolymer according to claim 1.

6. An article of manufacture comprising the copolymer of claim 1.

7. An article according to claim 6 in the form of a fiber.

8. An article according to claim 6 in the form of a film.

9. An article according to claim 6 in the form of a molded object.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent: No. 3 8 21,33l Dated June 28, 197 4 Invencofls) Robert Paul Foss It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below;

001. 2, line 25, the Bel 111C010!) should be deleted;

Col. 3, line 18; an arrow should be inserted at the beginning of the line;

col. 8, line no, "annd" should read and Col. 11, line 34, "hours" should read hour Col. 15, lirie 41, "meg" should read meq G01. 18, line 13, "Chapter F. Rudd," should read Chapter vI-50;J.F. Rudd, I

.001. 18, Table 1, in the needing to the right hand column,

"(g/mini)" should r 'ead (g/lo. min.)

Ool. 20, Table 2, sample No. 24, in the "Tensile Strength" column "(9ooo-15o0) should read (9ooo-15ooo)-- Signed and sealed "this 11th day of February 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

c. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks 

2. A copolymer acccording to claim 1 wherein l'', n'' and k are between 15 to 200, m'' is between 100 to 5,000, and x is between 1 to
 50. 3. A copolymer according to claim 1 wherein the diene unit is isoprene.
 4. A copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the diene unit is butadiene.
 5. An exercised copolymer according to claim
 1. 6. An article of manufacture comprising the copolymer of claim
 7. An article according to claim 6 in the form of a fiber.
 8. An article according to claim 6 in the form of a film.
 9. An article according to claim 6 in the form of a molded object. 